74-year-old in Bengaluru loses Rs 35,000 in WhatsApp nude video call scam

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

WhatsApp nude video scam. The victim, Prashanth (identity changed), from Bengaluru's KHB Colony, reported the incident to the cops after the criminals heightened their demands to Rs 4 lakh. The incident occurred around midnight on August 11, when Prashanth answered a WhatsApp video call only to encounter a woman posing in the nude.

Startled by the situation, he inquired about her identity, receiving an inadequate response. Faced with the discomforting scene, Prashanth ended the call and switched off his mobile device. After three days, he received an unexpected call from an unfamiliar number.

The caller identified himself as a cybercrime officer from the Delhi police. The caller alleged that a criminal case had been initiated based on a complaint filed by the woman featured in the explicit video call. The caller went on to claim that Prashanth was implicated in the case, asserting that he was recorded during the call.

Threatened with arrest, Prashanth was coerced into paying Rs 11,500 as an initial sum. Subsequently, the demand escalated to Rs 23,000. Eventually, Prashanth transferred a total of Rs 34,500 to the bank account provided by the caller.

Prashanth initially believed that he would be spared further harassment in the matter. However, he was once again contacted by the same number, with the caller informing him that the woman had taken her own life. The caller attributed her tragic action to Prashanth witnessing her nude, insinuating that he could potentially face even graver consequences.

In this context, the caller demanded a hefty sum of Rs 4 lakh in exchange for dropping the charges. Consequently, Prashanth resolved to seek assistance from the police. Remarkably, during Prashanth's visit to the police